XAUAT News — On the morning of April 21, Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology (XAUAT) held a signing ceremony for a cooperation agreement with the France–China Friendship Association of Montargis and a plaque-awarding ceremony for an Overseas High-Quality Student Recruitment Base at the Ziqiang Conference Room of the Yicheng Innovation Center. Vice President Chen Rong attended the event and delivered remarks.Among the guests attending the ceremony were Wang Peiwen, President of the France–China Friendship Association of Montargis; Rao Silan, a Chinese language teacher; and members of a French student delegation participating in the “Chinese Bridge” program. Representatives from the Office of International Affairs, the School of International Education, and international students of XAUAT also attended the event. The ceremony was chaired by Duan Zhongxing, Executive Vice Dean of the School of International Education.

On behalf of the University, Chen Rong extended a warm welcome to Wang Peiwen and her delegation. He briefly introduced XAUAT’s history, disciplinary development, and internationalization efforts. He noted that, as important representatives of Eastern and Western civilizations, China and France have enjoyed a long tradition of educational and cultural exchanges. In recent years, people-to-people exchanges between the two countries have entered a new stage of mutual engagement, with educational cooperation becoming one of the most dynamic components of the China–France Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Chen Rong emphasized that Montargis, an important birthplace of the Chinese Work-Study Movement in France, carries profound historical memories of the century-long friendship between China and France. The France–China Friendship Association of Montargis has long been dedicated to promoting cultural and educational exchanges between the two countries. The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding and the joint establishment of an Overseas High-Quality Student Recruitment Base not only represent a practical step toward implementing the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries on strengthening youth exchanges and deepening educational cooperation, but also demonstrate XAUAT’s commitment to expanding high-quality student recruitment channels in Europe and advancing China’s educational opening-up strategy.

Wang Peiwen expressed her gratitude for the warm hospitality extended by XAUAT. She noted that Montargis is an important witness to the friendship between China and France, and that the Association has always cherished and worked to preserve the deep ties between the two nations. The signing of the cooperation agreement marks a solid step forward in educational and cultural collaboration between the Association and XAUAT. She expressed her hope that the Overseas High-Quality Student Recruitment Base would serve as a bridge to encourage more young French students to learn about China and study at XAUAT, thereby injecting new vitality into China–France friendship.

Representatives of Chinese and French students also addressed the ceremony. Li Chuanbo, an international student at XAUAT, and a representative of the French student delegation shared their experiences of studying at the University and participating in the “Chinese Bridge” exchange program in China, while expressing their best wishes for the enduring friendship between the two countries.Wang Chunmei, Director of the Office of International Affairs and Dean of the School of International Education, presented certificates of completion to 20 French students who participated in the 2026 XAUAT Chinese Architectural Heritage and Chinese Language Study Camp under the “Chinese Bridge” program.

Witnessed by all participants, Chen Rong and Wang Peiwen signed the cooperation agreement on behalf of their respective institutions. Chen Rong also presented the plaque designating the France–China Friendship Association of Montargis as an “Overseas High-Quality Student Recruitment Base of Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology.”

Looking ahead, the two sides will continue to deepen cooperation in international Chinese language education, cultural exchange activities, and the recommendation of outstanding prospective students. Together, they will build a stronger bridge for educational and cultural exchanges between China and France, inject new momentum into the development of the “Study at XAUAT” brand, and contribute to the University’s Double First-Class initiative.。